Bleaching compounds comprising N-acyl caprolactam and alkanoyloxybenzene sulfonate bleach activators

ABSTRACT

Laundry detergents and automatic dishwashing compositions with activated bleaching systems which are effective under mixed soil conditions, especially mixtures of hydrophobic and hydrophilic soils and stains are presented. The preferred bleach activators are N-acyl caprolactams and nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate. A particularly preferred embodiment comprises a 1:2.2:7.7 molar ratio of N-acyl caprolactam to alanoyloxybenzenesulfonate to peroxygen bleaching compound. This mixed caprolactam, alkanoyloxybenzenesulfonate bleaching composition delivers stronger than expected performance on both hydrophobic and hydrophilic stains and on dingy clean up.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.08/064,627, filed May 20, 1993, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to laundry detergents and automaticdishwashing compositions with activated bleaching systems which areeffective under mixed soil conditions, especially mixtures ofhydrophobic and hydrophilic soils and stains.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has long been known that peroxygen bleaches are effective for stainand/or soil removal from fabrics, but that such bleaches are temperaturedependent. At a laundry liquor temperature of 60° C., peroxygen bleachesare only partially effective. As the laundry liquor temperature islowered below 60° C., peroxygen bleaches become relatively ineffective.As a consequence, there has been a substantial amount of industrialresearch to develop bleaching systems which contain an activator thatrenders peroxygen bleaches effective at laundry liquor temperaturesbelow 60° C.

Numerous substances have been disclosed in the art as effective bleachactivators. One widely-used bleach activator is tetraacetyl ethylenediamine (TAED). TAED provides effective hydrophilic cleaning especiallyon beverage stains, but has limited performance on dingy stains and bodysoils. Another type of activator, such as nonanoyloxy-benzenesulfonate(NOBS) and other activators which generally comprise long chain alkylmoieties, is hydrophobic in nature and provides excellent performance ondingy stains.

It would seem that a combination of bleach activators, such as TAED andNOBS, would provide an effective detergent composition which wouldperform well on both hydrophilic and hydrophobic soils and stains.However, many of the hydrophilic activators developed thus far,including TAED, have been found to have limited efficacy, especially atlaundry liquor temperatures below 60° C. Another consideration in thedevelopment of consumer products effective on both types of soils is theadditional costs associated with the inclusion of two or more bleachactivators. Accordingly, it is of substantial interest to themanufacturers of bleaching systems to find a less expensive type ofhydrophilic bleaching activator.

By the present invention, it has now been discovered that the class ofbleach activators derived from hydrophilic N-acyl caprolactams performsvery well when combined with the cleaning performance of hydrophobicalkanoyloxybenzenesulfonate and has the added benefit of beingrelatively inexpensive to manufacture. Accordingly, the presentinvention solves the long-standing need for an inexpensive bleachingsystem which performs efficiently and effectively at low temperaturesand under mixed soil load conditions, especially mixtures of hydrophobicand hydrophilic soils.

BACKGROUND ART

U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,784, Sanderson, issued Oct. 8, 1985, discloses theadsorption of activators onto sodium perborate monohydrate.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,934, Chung et al, issued Nov. 1, 1983, disclosesalkanoyloxybenzenesulfonate activators, including the preferrednonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate activator used herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bleaching systems and methods whichemploy them for cleaning fabrics under mixed soil load conditions. Saidbleaching system comprises:

a) at least about 0.1%, preferably from about 1% to about 75%, byweight, of a peroxygen bleaching compound capable of yielding hydrogenperoxide in an aqueous solution;

b) at least about 0.1%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 50%, byweight, of one or more hydrophilic N-acyl caprolactam bleach activators;and

c) at least about 0.1%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 50%, byweight, of a hydrophobic alkanoyloxybenzenesulfonate bleach activator.

The preferred alkanoyl moieties of said alkanoyloxybenzenesulfonatebleach activators contain from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms,preferably from about 8 to about 11 carbons. Highly preferred moietiesare members selected from the group consisting of octanoyl, nonanoyl,decanoyl, dodecanoyl, 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl, 2-ethylhexanoyl, andmixtures thereof.

The acyl moieties of said N-acyl caprolactam bleach activators have theformula R¹ --CO-- wherein R¹ is H or an alkyl or aryl, group containingfrom about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. In preferred embodiments, R¹ is amember selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl,butyl, pentyl, hexyl, and phenyl substituents.

The peroxygen bleaching compound can be any peroxide source, and ispreferably a member selected from the group consisting of sodiumperborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodiumpyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, sodium percarbonate,sodium peroxide and mixtures thereof. Highly preferred peroxygenbleaching compounds are selected from the group consisting of sodiumperborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodiumpercarbonate and mixtures thereof. The most highly preferred peroxygenbleaching compound is sodium percarbonate.

The invention also encompasses detergent compositions in granular,paste, liquid, or bar form which comprise the aforesaid bleaching systemtogether with detersive ingredients which are present in the compositionat the levels indicated hereinafter.

The bleaching method herein is preferably conducted with agitation ofthe fabrics with an aqueous liquor containing the aforesaid compositionsat levels from about 50 ppm to about 27,500 ppm, and is especiallyadapted for conditions in which the fabrics are soiled with bothhydrophobic and hydrophilic soils. The method can be carded out at anydesired washing temperature, even at temperatures below about 60° C.,and is readily conducted at temperatures in the range of from about 5°C. to about 45° C. The method can be conducted conveniently using acomposition which is in bar form, but can also be conducted usinggranules, flakes, powders, pastes, and the like.

The aqueous laundry liquor typically comprises at least about 300 ppm ofconventional detergent ingredients, as well as at least about 25 ppm ofthe bleaching compound and at least about 25 ppm of the mixture ofbleach activators. Preferably, the liquor comprises from about 900 ppmto about 20,000 ppm of conventional detergent ingredients, from about100 ppm to about 25,000 ppm of the bleaching compound and from about 100ppm to about 2,500 ppm of the bleach activators. The conventionaldetergent ingredients and bleaching system will typically be combinedinto a detergent composition such as a granular laundry detergent orlaundry detergent bar.

The conventional detergent ingredients employed in said method and inthe compositions herein comprise from about 1% to about 99.8%,preferably from about 5% to about 80%, of a detersive surfactant.Optionally, the detergent ingredients comprise from about 5% to about80% of a detergent builder. Other optional detersive adjuncts can alsobe included in such compositions at conventional usage levels.

All percentages, ratios, and proportions herein are by weight, unlessotherwise specified. All documents cited are incorporated herein byreference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The bleaching system employed in the present invention provideseffective and efficient surface bleaching of fabrics which therebyremoves stains and/or soils from the fabrics. The bleaching system isparticularly efficient at cleaning a mixture of soil loads, especiallymixtures of hydrophobic and hydrophilic soils. Hydrophobic soils aregenerally associated with lipid and protein-based soils and stains, suchas body soils, blood, etc., but are also effective on so-called "dingysoils". Dingy soils are those that build up on textiles after numerouscycles of usage and washing, and result in a gray or yellow tint onwhite fabrics. Hydrophilic soils include food and beverage stains.

The bleaching mechanism and, in particular, the surface bleachingmechanism are not completely understood. However, it is generallybelieved that the N-acyl bleach activator undergoes nucleophilic attackby a perhydroxide anion, which is generated from the hydrogen peroxideevolved by the peroxygen bleaching compound, to form a peroxycarboxylicacid. This reaction is commonly referred to as perhydrolysis. It is alsobelieved, that the N-acyl and alkanoyloxybenzenesulfonate bleachactivators within this invention can render peroxygen bleaches moreefficient even at laundry liquor temperatures wherein bleach activatorsare not necessary to activate the bleach, i.e., above about 60° C.Therefore, with bleach systems of the invention, less peroxygen bleachis required to achieve the same level of surface bleaching performanceas is obtained with the peroxygen bleach alone.

The components of the bleaching system herein comprise the bleachactivator and the peroxide source, as described hereinafter.

Bleach Activators

The bleach activators of type b) employed in the present invention arehydrophilic N-acyl caprolactams of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R¹ is Hor an alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or alkoxyaryl group containing from about 1to about 6 carbon atoms. Caprolactam activators wherein the R¹ moietycontains from about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms provide hydrophilicbleaching which affords beverage and food stain removal.

Benzoyl caprolactam, i.e., wherein R¹ is a phenyl substituent, has nowbeen found to be unique among the bleach activator compounds, inasmuchas it appears to exhibit both hydrophobic and hydrophilic bleachingactivity. This hydrophobic/hydrophilic bleaching capability makesbenzoyl caprolactam the activator of choice for the formulator who isseeking broad spectrum bleaching activity, and wishes to use a singlecaprolactam activator for hydrophilic cleaning and for additionalhydrophobic performance in combination with thealkanoyloxybenzenesulfonate activator.

Highly preferred hydrophilic N-acyl caprolactams are selected from thegroup consisting of formyl caprolactam, acetyl caprolactam, propanoylcaprolactam, butanoyl caprolactam, pentanoyl caprolactam, hexanoylcaprolactam, and benzoyl caprolactam.

Methods of making N-acyl caprolactams are well known in the art. ExampleI, included below, illustrates a preferred laboratory synthesis.Contrary to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,784, cited above, thebleach activator is preferably not absorbed onto the peroxygen bleachingcompound. To do so in the presence of other organic detersiveingredients could cause safety problems.

The bleach activators of type c) employed in the present invention arealkanoyloxybenzenesulfonates of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R¹--C(O)-- contains from about 8 to about 12, preferably from about 8 toabout 11, carbon atoms and M is a suitable cation, such as an alkalimetal, ammonium, or substituted ammonium cation, with sodium andpotassium being most preferred.

Highly preferred hydrophobic alkanoyloxybenzenesulfonates are selectedfrom the group consisting of nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate,3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate,2-ethylhexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, octanoyloxybenzenesulfonate,decanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, dodecanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, and mixturesthereof.

The bleaching system comprises at least about 0.1%, preferably fromabout 0.1% to about 30%, more preferably from about 1% to about 30%,most preferably from about 3% to about 25%, by weight, of type b) andtype c) bleach activators.

When the activators are used, optimum surface bleaching performance isobtained with washing solutions wherein the pH of such solution isbetween about 8.5 and 10.5, preferably between 9.5 and 10.5, in order tofacilitate the perhydrolysis reaction. Such pH can be obtained withsubstances commonly known as buffering agents, which are optionalcomponents of the bleaching systems herein.

The Peroxygen Bleaching Compound

The peroxygen bleaching compounds useful herein are those capable ofyielding hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous liquor. These compounds arewell known in the art and include hydrogen peroxide and the alkali metalperoxides, organic peroxide bleaching compounds such as urea peroxide,and inorganic persalt bleaching compounds, such as the alkali metalperborates, percarbonates, perphosphates, and the like. Mixtures of twoor more such bleaching compounds can also be used, if desired.

Preferred peroxygen bleaching compounds include sodium perborate,commercially available in the form of mono-, tri-, and tetra-hydrate,sodium pyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxy-hydrate, sodiumperoxide, and sodium percarbonate. Particularly preferred are sodiumperborate tetrahydrate, sodium perborate monohydrate and sodiumpercarbonate. Sodium percarbonate is especially preferred because it isvery stable during storage and yet still dissolves very quickly in thebleaching liquor. It is believed that such rapid dissolution results inthe formation of higher levels of percarboxylic acid and, thus, enhancedsurface bleaching performance.

Highly preferred percarbonate can be in uncoated or coated form. Theaverage particle size of uncoated percarbonate ranges from about 400 toabout 1200 microns, most preferably from about 400 to about 600 microns.If coated percarbonate is used, the preferred coating materials includemixtures of carbonate and sulphate, silicate, borosilicate, or fattycarboxylic acids.

The bleaching system comprises at least about 0.1%, preferably fromabout 1% to about 75%, more preferably from about 3% to about 40%, mostpreferably from about 3% to about 25%, by weight, of a peroxygenbleaching compound capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in an aqueoussolution.

The weight ratio of bleach activator to peroxygen bleaching compound inthe bleaching system typically ranges from about 2:1 to 1:5. Inpreferred embodiments, the ratio ranges from about 1:1 to about 1:3.

The bleach activator/bleaching compound systems herein are useful per seas bleaches. However, such bleaching systems are especially useful incompositions which can comprise various detersive adjuncts such assurfactants, builders, enzymes, and the like as disclosed hereinafter.

Detersive Surfactant

The amount of detersive surfactant included in the fully-formulateddetergent compositions afforded by the present invention can vary fromabout 1% to about 99.8%, by weight of the detergent ingredients,depending upon the particular surfactants used and the effects desired.Preferably, the detersive surfactants comprise from about 5% to about80%, by weight of the detergent ingredients.

The detersive surfactant can be nonionic, anionic, ampholytic,zwitterionic, or cationic. Mixtures of these surfactants can also beused. Preferred detergent compositions comprise anionic detersivesurfactants or mixtures of anionic surfactants with other surfactants,especially nonionic surfactants.

Nonlimiting examples of surfactants useful herein include theconventional C₁₁ -C₁₈ alkyl benzene sulfonates and primary, secondary,and random alkyl sulfates, the C₁₀ -C₁₈ alkyl alkoxy sulfates, the C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl polyglycosides and their corresponding sulfatedpolyglycosides, C₁₂ -C₁₈ alpha-sulfonated fatty acid esters, C₁₂ -C₁₈alkyl and alkyl phenol alkoxylates (especially ethoxylates and mixedethoxy/propoxy), C₁₂ -C₁₈ betaines and sulfobetaines ("sultaines"), C₁₀-C₁₈ amine oxides, and the like. Other conventional useful surfactantsare listed in standard texts.

One particular class of adjunct nonionic surfactants especially usefulherein comprises the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides of the formula:##STR3## wherein: R¹ is H, C₁ -C₈ hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxyethyl,2-hydroxypropyl, or a mixture thereof, preferably C₁ -C₄ alkyl, morepreferably C₁ or C₂ alkyl, most preferably C₁ alkyl (i.e. methyl); andR² is a C₅ -C₃₂ hydrocarbyl moiety, preferably straight chain C₇ -C₁₉alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably straight chain C₉ -C₁₇ alkyl oralkenyl, most preferably straight chain C₁₁ -C₁₉ alkyl or alkenyl, ormixture thereof; and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl moiety having alinear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 2 (in the case of glyceraldehyde)or at least 3 hydroxyls (in the case of other reducing sugars) directlyconnected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative (preferablyethoxylated or propoxylated) thereof. Z preferably will be derived froma reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction; more preferably Z isa glycityl moiety. Suitable reducing sugars include glucose, fructose,maltose, lactose, galactose, mannose, and xylose, as well asglyceraldehyde. As raw materials, high dextrose corn syrup, highfructose corn syrup, and high maltose corn syrup can be utilized as wellas the individual sugars listed above. These corn syrups may yield a mixof sugar components for Z. It should be understood that it is by nomeans intended to exclude other suitable raw materials. Z preferablywill be selected from the group consisting of --CH₂ --(CHOH)_(n) --CH₂OH, --CH(CH₂ OH)--(CHOH)_(n-1) --CH₂ OH, --CH₂ --(CHOH)₂(CHOR')(CHOH)--CH₂ OH, where n is an integer from 1 to 5, inclusive, andR' is H or a cyclic mono- or poly-saccharide, and alkoxylatedderivatives thereof. Most preferred are glycityls wherein n is 4,particularly --CH₂ --(CHOH)₄ --CH₂ OH.

In Formula (I), R¹ can be, for example, N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl,N-isopropyl, N-butyl, N-isobutyl, N-2-hydroxy ethyl, or N-2-hydroxypropyl. For highest sudsing, R¹ is preferably methyl or hydroxyalkyl. Iflower sudsing is desired, R¹ is preferably C₂ -C₈ alkyl, especiallynopropyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, pentyl, hexyl and 2-ethylhexyl.

R² --CO--N< can be, for example, cocamide, stearamide, oleamide,lauramide, myristamide, capricamide, palmitamide, tallowamide, etc.

Detergent Builders

Optional detergent ingredients employed in the present invention containinorganic and/or organic detergent builders to assist in mineralhardness control. If used, these builders comprise from about 5% toabout 80% by weight of the detergent compositions.

Inorganic detergent builders include, but are not limited to, the alkalimetal, ammonium and alkanolammonium salts of polyphosphates (exemplifiedby the tripolyphosphates, pyrophosphates, and glassy polymericmetaphosphates), phosphonates, phytic acid, silicates, carbonates(including bicarbonates and sesquicarbonates), sulphates, andaluminosilicates. However, non-phosphate builders are required in somelocales.

Examples of silicate builders are the alkali metal silicates,particularly those having a SiO₂ :Na₂ O ratio in the range 1.6:1 to3.2:1 and layered silicates, such as the layered sodium silicatesdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,839, issued May 12, 1987 to H. P.Rieck, available from Hoechst under the trademark "SKS"; SKS-6 is anespecially preferred layered silicate builder.

Carbonate builders, especially a finely ground calcium carbonate withsurface area greater than 10 m² /g, are preferred builders that can beused in granular compositions. The density of such alkali metalcarbonate built detergents can be in the range of 450-850 g/l with themoisture content preferably below 4%. Examples of carbonate builders arethe alkaline earth and alkali metal carbonates as disclosed in GermanPatent Application No. 2,321,001 published on Nov. 15, 1973.

Aluminosilicate builders are especially useful in the present invention.Preferred aluminosilicates are zeolite builders which have the formula:

    Na.sub.z [(AlO.sub.2).sub.z (SiO.sub.2).sub.y ]xH.sub.2 O

wherein z and y are integers of at least 6, the molar ratio of z to y isin the range from 1.0 to about 0.5, and x is an integer from about 15 toabout 264.

Useful aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are commerciallyavailable. These aluminosilicates can be crystalline or amorphous instructure and can be naturally-occurring aluminosilicates orsynthetically derived. A method for producing aluminosilicate ionexchange materials is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,669, Krummel, etal, issued Oct. 12, 1976. Preferred synthetic crystallinealuminosilicate ion exchange materials useful herein are available underthe designations Zeolite A, Zeolite P (B), and Zeolite X. Preferably,the aluminosilicate has a particle size of about 0.1-10 microns indiameter.

Organic detergent builders suitable for the purposes of the presentinvention include, but are not restricted to, a wide variety ofpolycarboxylate compounds, such as ether polycarboxylates, includingoxydisuccinate, as disclosed in Berg, U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,287, issuedApr. 7, 1964, and Lamberti et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,635,830, issued Jan.18, 1972. See also "TMS/TDS" builders of U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,071, issuedto Bush et al, on May 5, 1987.

Other useful detergent builders include the etherhydroxypolycarboxylates, copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethylene orvinyl methyl ether, 1,3,5-trihydroxy benzene-2,4,6-trisulphonic acid,and carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, the various alkali metal, ammoniumand substituted ammonium salts of polyacetic acids such asethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and nitrilotriacetic acid, as well aspolycarboxylates such as mellitic acid, succinic acid, oxydisuccinicacid, polymaleic acid, benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid,carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, and soluble salts thereof.

Citrate builders, e.g., citric acid and soluble salts thereof(particularly sodium salt), are preferred polycarboxylate builders thatcan also be used in granular compositions, especially in combinationwith zeolite and/or layered silicate builders.

Also suitable in the detergent compositions of the present invention arethe 3,3-dicarboxy-4-oxa-1,6-hexanedioates and the related compoundsdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,984, Bush, issued Jan. 28, 1986.

In situations where phosphorus-based builders can be used, andespecially in the formulation of bars used for hand-launderingoperations, the various alkali metal phosphates such as the well-knownsodium tripolyphosphates, sodium pyrophosphate and sodium orthophosphatecan be used. Phosphonate builders such asethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate and other known phosphonates (see,for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,159,581; 3,213,030; 3,422,021; 3,400,148and 3,422,137) can also be used.

Optional Detersive Adjuncts

As a preferred embodiment, the conventional detergent ingredientsemployed herein can be selected from typical detergent compositioncomponents such as detersive surfactants and detergent builders.Optionally, the detergent ingredients can include one or more otherdetersive adjuncts or other materials for assisting or enhancingcleaning performance, treatment of the substrate to be cleaned, or tomodify the aesthetics of the detergent composition. Usual detersiveadjuncts of detergent compositions include the ingredients set forth inU.S. Pat. No. 3,936,537, Baskerville et al. Adjuncts which can also beincluded in detergent compositions employed in the present invention, intheir conventional art-established levels for use (generally from 0% toabout 20% of the o detergent ingredients, preferably from about 0.5% toabout 10%), include enzymes, especially proteases, lipases andcellulases, color speckles, suds boosters, suds suppressors, antitarnishand/or anticorrosion agents, soil-suspending agents, soil releaseagents, dyes, fillers, optical brighteners, germicides, alkalinitysources, hydrotropes, antioxidants, enzyme stabilizing agents, perfumes,solvents, solubilizing agents, clay soil removal/anti-redepositionagents, polymeric dispersing agents, processing aids, fabric softeningcomponents static control agents, etc.

Bleach systems optionally, but preferably, will also comprise a chelantwhich not only enhances bleach stability by scavenging heavy metal ionswhich tend to decompose bleaches, but also assists in the removal ofpolyphenolic stains such as tea stains, and the like. Various chelants,including the aminophosphonates, available as DEQUEST from Monsanto, thenitrilotriacetates, the hydroxyethyl-ethylenediamine triacetates, andthe like, are known for such use. Preferred biodegradable,non-phosphorus chelants include ethylenediamine disuccinate ("EDDS"; seeU.S. Pat. No. 4,704,233, Hartman and Perkins),ethylenediamine-N,N'-diglutamate (EDDG) and2-hydroxypropylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinate (HPDDS) compounds. Suchchelants can be used in their alkali or alkaline earth metal salts,typically at levels from about 0.1% to about 10% of the presentcompositions.

Optionally, the detergent compositions employed herein can comprise, inaddition to the bleaching system of the present invention, one or moreother conventional bleaching agents, activators, or stabilizers whichare not rendered ineffective from interaction with the nucleophilic andbody soils. In general, the formulator will ensure that the bleachcompounds used are compatible with the detergent formulation.Conventional tests, such as tests of bleach activity on storage in thepresence of the separate or fully-formulated ingredients, can be usedfor this purpose.

Specific examples of optional bleach activators for incorporation inthis invention include, hydrophobic N-acyl caprolactam bleach activatorswherein the acyl moiety contains from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, thebenzoxazin-type bleaching activators disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,966,723, Hodge et al, issued Oct. 30, 1990, and the bleach agents andactivators disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,551, Burns et al, issuedJan. 6, 1987. Such bleaching compounds and agents can be optionallyincluded in detergent compositions in their conventionalart--established levels of use, generally from 0% to about 15%, byweight of detergent composition.

Bleaching activators of the invention are especially useful inconventional laundry detergent compositions such as those typicallyfound in granular detergents or laundry bars. U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,370,Okenfuss, issued Apr.13, 1965, describes laundry detergent bars andprocesses for making them. Philippine Patent 13,778, Anderson, issuedSep. 23, 1980, describes synthetic detergent laundry bars. Methods formaking laundry detergent bars by various extrusion methods are wellknown in the art.

The following examples are given to further illustrate the presentinvention, but are not intended to be limiting thereof.

EXAMPLE I

Synthesis of Benzoyl Caprolactam--To a two liter three necked roundbottomed flask equipped with a condenser, overhead stirrer and 250 mladdition funnel is charged 68.2 g (0.6 moles) caprolactam, 70 g (0.7moles) triethylamine and liter of dioxane; the resulting solution isheated to reflux (120° C.). A solution of 84.4 g (0.6 moles) benzoylchloride dissolved in 200 ml of dioxane is then added over 30 minutes,and the mixture is refiuxed for a further 6 hours. The reaction mixtureis then cooled, filtered, and the solvent removed by rotary evaporationto yield 121.7 g of the product as an oil which crystallizes onstanding. This crude product is then redissolved in toluene andprecipitated with hexane, yielding 103 g (79% theoretical yield) of awhite solid which is shown by NMR to be over 95% pure, with theremaining material being benzoic acid.

EXAMPLE II

Synthesis of Nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate--A 500 ml 3-neck flask isfitted with a reflux condenser and mechanical stirrer. The flask ispurged with nitrogen and charged with 0.25 moles on nonanoyl chloride in200 ml of dry toluene. Anhydrous p-phenolsulfonate, monosodium salt(0.20 moles) is added as a powder, and the resulting mixture refiuxedunder nitrogen for 16 hours. The mixture is cooled to room temperatureand diluted with 200 ml diethyl ether. The precipitated solid iscollected by filtration and washed with 100 ml of diethyl ether. Thesolid is triturated with 200 ml of boiling methanol. After cooling, thesolid is collected by filtration, washed with 100 ml of methanol, anddried under vacuum. NMR and cationic titration analyses shows theresulting nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, sodium salt (0.15 moles) to beover 98% pure.

EXAMPLE III

A granular detergent composition is prepared comprising the followingingredients.

    ______________________________________                                        Component               Weight %                                              ______________________________________                                        C.sub.12 linear alkyl benzene sulfonate                                                               22                                                    Phosphate (as sodium tripolyphosphate)                                                                20                                                    Sodium carbonate        10                                                    Sodium silicate         3                                                     Sodium percarbonate*    20                                                    Ethylenediamine disuccinate chelant (EDDS)                                                            0.4                                                   Sodium sulfate          .5                                                    Benzoyl caprolactam     5                                                     Nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate                                                                           5                                                     Minors, filler** and water                                                                            Balance to 100%                                       ______________________________________                                         *Average particle size of 400 to 1200 microns.                                **Can be selected from convenient materials such as CaCO.sub.3, talc,         clay, silicates, and the like.                                           

Aqueous crutcher mixes of heat and alkali stable components of thedetergent compositions are prepared and spray-dried. The otheringredients are admixed so that the detergent composition contains theingredients tabulated at the levels shown.

The detergent granules with bleaching system are added together with a 6lb. (2.7 kg) load of fabrics to a Sears KENMORE washing machine. Actualweights of detergent and ester compositions are taken to provide a 1000ppm concentration of the detergent composition in the 17 gallon (65 l)water-fill machine. The water used has 7 grains/gallon hardness and a pHof 7 to 7.5 prior to (about 9 to about 10.5 after) addition of thedetergent composition.

The fabrics are laundered at 35° C. (95° F.) for a full cycle (12 min.)and rinsed at 21° C. (70° F.).

At the end of the last rinse cycle, the test swatches are dried in adryer. Tristimulus meter readings (L,a,b) are then determined for eachtest swatch. Whiteness performance in terms of Hunter Whiteness Values(W) is then calculated according to the following equation:

    W=(7 L.sup.2 -40 Lb)/700

The higher the value for W, the better the whiteness performance. In theabove test, fabrics exposed to the bleaching system displaysignificantly improved whiteness after laundering compared with fabricswhich have not been exposed to the bleaching system of the invention.

EXAMPLE IV

A granular detergent composition is prepared comprising the followingingredients.

    ______________________________________                                        Component               Weight %                                              ______________________________________                                        Anionic alkyl sulfate   7                                                     Nonionic surfactant     5                                                     Zeolite (0.1-1.0 micron)                                                                              10                                                    Trisodium citrate       2                                                     SKS-6 silicate builder  10                                                    Acrylate maleate polymer                                                                              4                                                     Benzoyl caprolactam     10                                                    Nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate                                                                           10                                                    Sodium percarbonate     25                                                    Sodium carbonate        5                                                     Ethylenediamine disuccinate chelant (EDDS)                                                            0.4                                                   Suds suppressor         2                                                     Enzymes*                1.5                                                   Soil release agent      0.2                                                   Minors, filler** and water                                                                            Balance to 100%                                       ______________________________________                                         *1:1:1 mixture of protease, lipase, and cellulase.                            **Can be selected from convenient materials such as CaCO.sub.3, talc,         clay, silicates, and the like.                                           

Aqueous crutcher mixes of heat and alkali stable components of thedetergent compositions are prepared and spray-dried. The otheringredients are admixed so that the detergent composition contains theingredients tabulated at the levels shown.

The detergent granules with bleaching system are added together with a2.7 kg (6 lb.) load of fabrics to an automatic washing machine. Actualweights of detergent and ester compositions are taken to provide a 5000ppm concentration of the detergent composition in the 17 liter (4.5gallon) water-fill machine. The water used has 7 grains/gallon hardnessand a pH of 7 to 7.5 prior to (about 9 to about 10.5 after) addition ofthe detergent composition.

The fabrics are laundered at 40° C. (104° F.) for a full cycle (40 min.)and rinsed at 21° C. (70° F.).

At the end of the last rinse cycle, the test swatches are dried in adryer. Tristimulus meter readings (L,a,b) are then determined for eachtest swatch. Whiteness performance in terms of Hunter Whiteness Values(W) is then calculated according to the following equation:

    W=(7 L.sup.2 -40 Lb)/700

The higher the value for W, the better the whiteness performance. In theabove test, fabrics exposed to the bleaching system displaysignificantly improved whiteness after laundering compared with fabricswhich have not been exposed to the bleaching system of the invention.

EXAMPLE V

A laundry bar suitable for hand-washing soiled fabrics is preparedcomprising the following ingredients.

    ______________________________________                                        Component              Weight %                                               ______________________________________                                        C.sub.12 linear alkyl benzene sulfonate                                                              30                                                     Phosphate (as sodium tripolyphosphate)                                                               7                                                      Sodium carbonate       15                                                     Sodium pyrophosphate   7                                                      Coconut monoethanolamide                                                                             2                                                      Zeolite A (0.1-1.0 microns)                                                                          5                                                      Carboxymethylcellulose 0.2                                                    Polyacrylate (m.w. 1400)                                                                             0.2                                                    Benzoyl caprolactam    6.5                                                    Nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate                                                                          6.5                                                    Sodium percarbonate    15                                                     Brightener, perfume    0.2                                                    Protease               0.3                                                    CaSO.sub.4             1                                                      MgSO.sub.4             1                                                      Water and Filler*      Balance to 100%                                        ______________________________________                                         *Can be selected from convenient materials such as CaCO.sub.3, talc, clay     silicates, and the like.                                                 

The detergent laundry bars are processed in conventional soap ordetergent bar making equipment as commonly used in the art. Testing isconducted following the methods used in Example IV. In the test, fabricsexposed to the bleaching system display significantly improved whitenessafter laundering compared with fabrics which have not been exposed tothe bleaching system of the invention.

EXAMPLE VI

A laundry bar is prepared by a procedure identical to that of Example V,with the two exceptions that 20% of a 1:1:1 mixture of pentanoylcaprolactam, hexanoyl caprolactam, and benzoyl caprolactam issubstituted for the benzoyl caprolactam bleach activator, and the levelof sodium percarbonate is increased to 20%. The laundering method ofExample IV is repeated. In the test, all fabrics display significantlyimproved whiteness after laundering compared with fabrics which have notbeen exposed to the bleaching system of the invention.

EXAMPLE VII

A laundry bar is prepared by a procedure identical to that of Example V,with the single exception that 15% of a 1:1 mixture of acetylcaprolactam and benzoyl caprolactam is substituted for the benzoylcaprolactam bleach activator. The laundering method of Example IV isrepeated. In the test, all fabrics display significantly improvedwhiteness after laundering compared with fabrics which have not beenexposed to the bleaching system of the invention.

EXAMPLE VIII

A laundry bar is prepared by a procedure identical to that of Example V,with the single exception that an equivalent amount of3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate is substituted for thenonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate bleach activator. The laundering method ofExample IV is repeated. In the test, all fabrics display significantlyimproved whiteness after laundering compared with fabrics which have notbeen exposed to the bleaching system of the invention.

EXAMPLE IX

A laundry bar is prepared by a procedure identical to that of Example V,with the exceptions that 6% of a 1:1 mixture of benzoyl caprolactam anda benzoxazin-type bleach activator, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,966,723, is substituted for the benzoyl caprolactam bleach activatorand an equivalent amount of 2-ethylhexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate issubstituted for the nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate bleach activator. Thelaundering method of Example IV is repeated. In the test, all fabricsdisplay significantly improved whiteness after laundering compared withfabrics which have not been exposed to the bleaching system of theinvention.

EXAMPLE X

A bleaching system is prepared comprising the following ingredients.

    ______________________________________                                        Component               Weight %                                              ______________________________________                                        Benzoyl caprolactam     15                                                    Nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate                                                                           15                                                    Sodium percarbonate     45                                                    Chelant (ethylenediamine disuccinate, EDDS)                                                           10                                                    Filler* and water       Balance to 100%                                       ______________________________________                                         *Can be selected from convenient materials such as CaCO.sub.3, talc, clay     silicates, and the like.                                                 

Testing is conducted following the methods used in Example V with thesingle exception that the an equivalent amount of the above bleachingsystem is substituted for the detergent composition used in Example V.In the test, fabrics exposed to the bleaching system displaysignificantly improved whiteness after laundering compared with fabricswhich have not been exposed to the bleaching system of the invention.

While the compositions and processes of the present invention areespecially useful in conventional fabric laundering operations, it is tobe understood that they are also useful in cleaning system whichinvolves low water:fabric ratios. One such system is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,489,455, Spendel, issued Dec. 25, 1984, which involves awashing machine apparatus which contacts fabrics with wash watercontaining detersive ingredients using a low water: fabric ratio ratherthan the conventional method of immersing fabrics in an aqueous bath.The compositions herein provide excellent bleaching performance in suchmechanical systems. Typically, the ratio of water:fabric ranges fromabout 0.5:1 to about 6:1 (liters of water:kg of fabric).

EXAMPLE XI

Using the machine and operating conditions disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,489,455, cited above, 25 grams of a composition according to Example Vherein are used to launder fabrics with concurrent bleaching. Ifdesired, sudsing of the composition can be minimized by incorporatingtherein from 0.2% to 2% by weight of a fatty acid, secondary alcohol, orsilicone suds controlling ingredient. In the test, fabrics exposed tothe bleaching system display significantly improved whiteness afterlaundering compared with fabrics which have not been exposed to thebleaching system of the invention.

Contrary to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,784, cited above, thebleach activator is preferably not absorbed onto the peroxygen bleachingcompound. To do so in the presence of other organic detersiveingredients could cause safety problems. It has now been discovered thatthe caprolactam bleach activators of this invention can be dry-mixedwith peroxygen bleaching compounds, especially perborate, and therebyavoid potential safety problems.

EXAMPLE XII

A laundry bar suitable for hand-washing soiled fabrics is preparedcomprising the following ingredients.

    ______________________________________                                        Component              Weight %                                               ______________________________________                                        Linear alkyl benzene sulfonate                                                                       30                                                     Phosphate (as sodium tripolyphosphate)                                                               7                                                      Sodium carbonate       20                                                     Sodium pyrophosphate   7                                                      Coconut monoethanolamide                                                                             2                                                      Zeolite A (0.1-1.0 microns)                                                                          5                                                      Carboxymethylcellulose 0.2                                                    Polyacrylate (m.w. 1400)                                                                             0.2                                                    Benzoyl caprolactam    5                                                      Nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate                                                                          5                                                      Sodium perborate tetrahydrate                                                                        10                                                     Brightener, perfume    0.2                                                    Protease               0.3                                                    CaSO.sub.4             1                                                      MgSO.sub.4             1                                                      Water                  4                                                      Filler*                Balance to 100%                                        ______________________________________                                         *Can be selected from convenient materials such as CaCO.sub.3, talc, clay     silicates, and the like.                                                 

The detergent laundry bars are processed in conventional soap ordetergent bar making equipment as commonly used in the an with thebleaching activator dry-mixed with the perborate bleaching compound andnot affixed to the surface of the perborate. Testing is conductedfollowing the methods used in Example IV. In the test, fabrics exposedto the bleaching system display significantly improved whiteness afterlaundering compared with fabrics which have not been exposed to thebleaching system of the invention.

EXAMPLE XIII

A laundry bar is prepared by a procedure identical to that of ExampleXII, with the single exception that an equivalent amount of2-ethyloxybenzenesulfonate is substituted for the nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate bleach activator. The laundering method of Example IVis repeated. In the test, all fabrics display significantly improvedwhiteness after laundering compared with fabrics which have not beenexposed to the bleaching system of the invention.

EXAMPLE XIV

A laundry bar is prepared by a procedure identical to that of ExampleXII, with the exceptions that 6% of a 1:1 mixture of benzoyl caprolactamand hexanoyl caprolactam is substituted for the benzoyl caprolactambleach activator and 6% of a 1:1 mixture ofdodecanoyloxybenzenesulfonate and decanoyloxybenzenesulfonate issubstituted for the nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate bleach activator. Thelaundering method of Example IV is repeated. In the test, all fabricsdisplay significantly improved whiteness after laundering compared withfabrics which have not been exposed to the bleaching system of theinvention.

EXAMPLE XV

A laundry bar is prepared by a procedure identical to that of ExampleXII, with the single exception that 10% of a 1:1 mixture of benzoylcaprolactam and a benzoxazin-type bleach activator, as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,966,723, is substituted for the benzoyl caprolactam bleachactivator. The laundering method of Example IV is repeated. In the test,all fabrics display significantly improved whiteness after launderingcompared with fabrics which have not been exposed to the bleachingsystem of the invention.

EXAMPLE XVI

A laundry bar is prepared by a procedure identical to that of ExampleXII, with the single exception that 6% of a 1:1 mixture of benzoylcaprolactam and a bleach activator, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,634,551, cited above, is substituted for the benzoyl caprolactambleach activator. The laundering method of Example IV is repeated. Inthe test, all fabrics display significantly improved whiteness afterlaundering compared with fabrics which have not been exposed to thebleaching system of the invention.

EXAMPLE XVII

A granular detergent composition is prepared comprising the followingingredients.

    ______________________________________                                        Component               Weight %                                              ______________________________________                                        Linear alkyl benzene sulfonate                                                                        20                                                    Phosphate (as sodium tripolyphosphate)                                                                20                                                    Sodium carbonate        10                                                    Sodium silicate         3                                                     Sodium perborate tetrahydrate                                                                         20                                                    Ethylenediamine disuccinate chelant (EDDS)                                                            0.4                                                   Sodium sulfate          5.5                                                   Hexanoyl caprolactam    5                                                     Nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate                                                                           5                                                     Minors, filler** and water                                                                            Balance to 100%                                       ______________________________________                                         **Can be selected from convenient materials such as CaCO.sub.3, talc,         clay, silicates, and the like.                                           

Aqueous crutcher mixes of heat and alkali stable components of thedetergent compositions are prepared and spray-dried. The otheringredients are dry-mixed so that the detergent composition contains theingredients tabulated at the levels shown.

Testing is conducted following the methods used in Example IV. In thetest, fabrics exposed to the bleaching system display significantlyimproved whiteness after laundering compared with fabrics which have notbeen exposed to the bleaching system of the invention.

EXAMPLE XVIII

A granular detergent composition is prepared by a procedure identical tothat of Example XVII, with the single exception that 15% of a 1:1mixture of benzoyl caprolactam and hexanoyl caprolactam is substitutedfor the hexanoyl caprolactam bleach activator. The laundering method ofExample IV is repeated. In the test, all fabrics display significantlyimproved whiteness after laundering compared with fabrics which have notbeen exposed to the bleaching system of the invention.

EXAMPLE XIX

A granular detergent composition is prepared by a procedure identical tothat of Example XVIII, with the single exception that 6% of a 1:1mixture of benzoyl caprolactam and a benzoxazin-type bleach activator,as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,723, is substituted for the hexanoylcaprolactam bleach activator. The laundering method of Example IV isrepeated. In the test, all fabrics display significantly improvedwhiteness after laundering compared with fabrics which have not beenexposed to the bleaching system of the invention.

EXAMPLE XX

A granular detergent composition is prepared by a procedure identical tothat of Example XVIII, with the single exception that 6% of a 1:1:1mixture of octanoyloxybenxenesulfonate, decanoyloxybenzenesulfonate anda benzoxazin-type bleach activator, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,634,551, cited above, is substituted for thenonanoyloxybenezenesulfonate bleach activator. The laundering method ofExample IV is repeated. In the test, all fabrics display significantlyimproved whiteness after laundering compared with fabrics which have notbeen exposed to the bleaching system of the invention.

A particularly preferred embodiment of this invention is a 1:2.2:7.7molar ratio of N-acyl caprolactam to alkanoyloxybenzenesulfonate toperoxygen bleaching compound. This mixed caprolactamalkanoyloxybenzenesulfonate bleaching composition delivers stronger thanexpected performance on hydrophobic stains and hydrophilic stains and ondingy clean up.

EXAMPLE XXI

A laundry bar is prepared by a procedure identical to that of Example V,with the exceptions that the level of benzoyl caprolactam is 0.85%, thelevel of nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate bleach activator is 3% and sodiumpercarbonate is substituted with 3% perborate. The laundering method ofExample IV is repeated. In the test, all fabrics display significantlyimproved whiteness after laundering compared with fabrics which have notbeen exposed to the bleaching system of the invention.

EXAMPLE XXII

A granular laundry detergent is prepared by a procedure identical tothat of Example III, with the exceptions that the level of benzoylcaprolactam is 0.85%, the level of nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate bleachactivator is 3% and sodium percarbonate is substituted with 3%perborate. The laundering method of Example III is repeated. In thetest, all fabrics display significantly improved whiteness afterlaundering compared with fabrics which have not been exposed to thebleaching system of the invention.

EXAMPLE XXIII

A granular laundry detergent is prepared by a procedure identical tothat of Example IV, with the exceptions that the level of benzoylcaprolactam is 0.85%, the level of nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate bleachactivator is 3% and sodium percarbonate is substituted with 3%perborate. The laundering method of Example IV is repeated. In the test,all fabrics display significantly improved whiteness after launderingcompared with fabrics which have not been exposed to the bleachingsystem of the invention.

EXAMPLE XXIV

A laundry bar is prepared by a procedure identical to that of ExampleXI, with the exceptions that the level of benzoyl caprolactam is 0.85%,the level of nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate bleach activator is 3% and thelevel of sodium perborate tetrahydrate is 3%. The laundering method ofExample XI is repeated. In the test, all fabrics display significantlyimproved whiteness after laundering compared with fabrics which have notbeen exposed to the bleaching system of the invention.

EXAMPLE XXV

A granular laundry detergent is prepared by a procedure identical tothat of Example XVII, with the exceptions that the level ofnonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate bleach activator is 3%, the level of sodiumperborate tetrahydrate is 3%, and the hexanoyl caprolactam issubstituted with 0.85% benzoyl caprolactam. The laundering method ofExample XVII is repeated. In the test, all fabrics display significantlyimproved whiteness after laundering compared with fabrics which have notbeen exposed to the bleaching system of the invention.

While the foregoing examples illustrate the use of the presenttechnology in cleaning/bleaching compositions designed for use inlaundering, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that thebleaching systems herein can be employed under any circumstance whereimproved oxygen bleaching is desired. Thus, the technology of thisinvention may be used, for example, to remove stains and cleans dishes,to bleach paper pulp, to bleach hair, to cleanse and sanitize prostheticdevices such as dentures, in dentifrice compositions to clean teeth andkill oral bacteria, and in any other circumstances where bleaching isadvantageous to the user.

EXAMPLE XXVI

A granular automatic dishwashing detergent composition wherein stainremoval and cleaning benefits are achieved is prepared comprising thefollowing ingredients.

    ______________________________________                                                          % by                                                                          weight of active material                                   Component           A       B        C                                        ______________________________________                                        Citrate             15.00   15.00    20.00                                    Acusol 480N.sup.1   6.00    6.00     6.90                                     Sodium carbonate    20.00   20.00    23.00                                    Britesil H.sub.2 O) (SiO.sub.2)                                                                   9.00    9.00     7.50                                     Nonionic surfactant.sup.2                                                                         2.00    2.00     2.00                                     Savinase 12T        2.00    2.00     2.00                                     Termamyl 60T        1.00    1.00     1.00                                     Percarbonate (as AvO)                                                                             1.50    1.50     1.50                                     Nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate                                                                       2.00    2.00     2.00                                     Benzoylcaprolactam  2.00    3.80     2.00                                     Diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid                                                              0.13    0.13     0.13                                     1,1-hydroxyethanedishosphonic acid                                                                0.50    0.50     0.50                                     Sulfate, water, etc.                                                                              Balance to 100%                                           pH                  10.0    10.0     10.0                                     ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Dispersant from Rohm and Haas                                          .sup.2 Low cloud, high HLB nonionic surfactant                           

EXAMPLE XXVII

Tablet compositions of the present invention are as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        Component         % by weight of active material                              ______________________________________                                        Citrate           20.90      20.90                                            Phosphate         --         --                                               Polyacrylate      2.70       2.70                                             Carbonate         14.00      14.00                                            1,1-hydroxyethanedishosphonic                                                                   0.36       0.36                                             acid                                                                          Silicate 2r(SiO2) 12.20      12.20                                            metaSilicate (SiO2)                                                                             --         --                                               Paraffin          0.36       0.36                                             Benzotriazole     0.21       0.21                                             Perborate tetrahydrate (as AvO)                                                                 0.64       0.64                                             Perborate monohydrate (as AvO)                                                                  0.22       0.22                                             Percarbonate (as AvO)                                                                           --         --                                               Nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate                                                                     2.00       2.00                                             Benzoylcaprolactam                                                                              3.20       5.10                                             Phenylbenzoate    --         --                                               Diethylene triamine pentamethy-                                                                 0.09       0.09                                             lene phosphoric acid                                                          Savinase 60T      1.10       1.10                                             Savinase 12T      1.58       1.58                                             Nonionic surfactant                                                                             1.18       1.18                                             Termamyl 60T      1.10       1.10                                             Sulfate, water, etc.                                                                            Balance to 100%                                             pH                11         11                                               ______________________________________                                    

Automatic dishwashing compositions may be in granular, tablet, bar, orrinse aid form. Methods of making granules, tablets, bars, or rinse aidsare known in the art. See, for instance, U.S. patent Ser. Nos.08/106,022, 08/147,222, 08/147,224, 08/147,219, 08/052,860, 07/867,941.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bleaching composition comprising:i) a peroxygenbleaching compound; ii) a hydrophilic N-acyl caprolactam bleachactivator wherein the acyl moiety of said N-acyl caprolactam is of theformula R¹ --C(O)-- wherein R¹ is H or an alkyl or aryl group containingfrom about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; and iii) analkanoyloxybenzenesulfonate bleach activator, wherein said alkanoylmoiety contains from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms; such that themolar ratio of N-acyl caprolactam:alkanoyloxybenzenesulfonate:peroxygenbleaching compound is approximately 1:2.2:7.7.
 2. A bleachingcomposition according to claim 1 wherein said N-acyl caprolactam isselected from the group consisting of benzoyl caprolactam, formylcaprolactam, acetyl caprolactam, propanoyl caprolactam, butanoylcaprolactam, pentanoyl caprolactam, hexanoyl caprolactam, and mixturesthereof; said alkanoyloxybenzenesulfonate is selected from the groupconsisting of nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, decanoyloxybenzenesulfonate,octanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, dodecanoyloxybenzenesulfonate,3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate,2-ethylhexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, and mixture thereof; and saidperoxygen bleaching compound is selected from the group consisting ofsodium perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodiumpyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, sodium percarbonate,sodium peroxide, and mixtures thereof.
 3. An automatic dishwashingcomposition comprising a bleaching composition according to claim
 1. 4.A laundry detergent composition comprising a bleaching compositionaccording to claim
 1. 5. A laundry detergent composition according toclaim 4 wherein said bleaching composition comprises:i) about 0.85%benzoyl caprolactam; ii) about 3% nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate; and iii)about 3% perborate bleaching compound.
 6. A method for cleaning fabrics,dishes, or hard surfaces, said method comprising contacting saidfabrics, dishes, or hard surfaces with a bleaching composition accordingto claim
 1. 7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said N-acylcaprolactam is selected from the group consisting of benzoylcaprolactram, formyl caprolactam, acetyl caprolactam, propanoylcaprolactam, butanoyl caprolactam, pentanoyl caprolactam, hexanoylcaprolactam, and mixtures thereof; said alkanoyloxybenzenesulfonate isselected from the group consisting of nonanoyloxybenzenefulfonate,decanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, octanoyloxybenzenefulfonate,dodecanoyloxybenzenesulfonate,3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate,2-ethylhexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, and mixture thereof; and saidperoxygen bleaching compound is selected from the group consisting ofsodium perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodiumpyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, sodium percarbonate,sodium peroxide, and mixtures thereof.
 8. A method according to claim 7wherein said N-acyl caprolactam is benzoyl caprolactam, saidalkanoyloxybenzenesulfonate is nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, and saidperoxygen bleaching compound is selected from the group consisting ofsodium perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodiumpercarbonate, and mixtures thereof.